Last Updated on October 4, 2023
Silves is a small, historic Algarve town known for its medieval castle, beautiful city gate, old cathedral, and quaint, winding streets. Here’s how to day trip to Silves from Lagos.
While spending a week in Lagos with my parents, they were eager to bring me to an Algarve town that I hadn’t visited before. We got up bright and early one morning, hopped into the car, and drove a quick 30 minutes from Lagos to the town of Silves!
The Algarve is known for its ocean-side fishing towns, coastal views, and beaches. Silves, though, is found inland, along the Arade River. I think this is what makes visiting this town so special – it’s a chance to see another perspective of life in the Algarve.
Learn how to day trip to Silves from Lagos, including how to get between the towns, what to see in Silves, and points of interest nearby Silves (like wineries!) that you can visit as well.
A Brief History of Silves
Silves is a historic town that was once the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of Al-Gharb (the Algarve). From the 8th to 13th century, this region was under Moorish rule.
During the Moorish Era, Silves was a major trading center. The Moors used the Silves Castle (which you can visit!) to defend the region.
In 1242, the Moors were overthrown by the Portuguese. The great Mosque of Silves was transformed into the Silves cathedral. After this, the significance of the town started to decline. It’s since evolved into the quiet, beautiful town you can visit today.
How to Get to Silves From Lagos
How to day trip to Silves from Lagos? There’s several ways to make the trip! You can travel between these two Algarve towns by train, car, or taxi. Although all these modes of transport work just fine, I think that going by car is the simplest way.
Day Trip from Lagos to Silves by Train
Comboios De Portugal operates a train from Lagos to Silves. Tickets cost a couple euro and the journey takes 40 to 60 minutes (depending on which time you book).
Tickets must be bought before boarding, at the train stations. The Lagos train station is by the marina, a 15 minute walk from Lagos Old Town.
One drawback of day tripping to Silves by train is that the Silves train station is about 2 kilometers from the center of Silves. This means when you arrive in Silves, you’ll need to take a short taxi ride, or walk 30 minutes to the center of town.
Day Trip from Lagos to Silves by Taxi
If you don’t mind spending some money on a taxi to take you from Silves to Lagos, this is a good option.
Just beware that the drive between towns is about 30 minutes, and so the taxi will cost quite a lot. If you’re traveling with a group, it may be a more affordable option.
Day Trip from Lagos to Silves by Car
Going by car is the most convenient way to day trip from Lagos to Silves. The drive is an easy 30 minutes!
From Lagos, the quickest route is to take highway A22 – just note that this is a tolled highway. An alternative, non-tolled route is to take the N125 into Lagoa, followed by N124 north to Silves.
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Is it hard to find parking in Silves?
It can be challenging to find parking in Silves, especially during high season. There’s free parking throughout the center of town, but the streets are very narrow and so it’s much easier to park on the outskirts and walk in.
There’s a free parking lot next to Burger Ranch, called Parque Ribeirinho de Silves. This parking lot is a short walk from the main sites of Silves. Your best bet for securing a good parking spot is to head to Silves in the morning!
Best Things to Do in Silves
There’s plenty to do in Silves, which is part of what makes it such a great day trip from Lagos. Aside from wandering the town (it’s so beautiful!) there are a couple key sites you’ll want to make sure are part of your Silves day trip itinerary.
1. Explore the Castle of Silves
Silves Castle is in the center of Silves, up on a hill that overlooks the town. This sandstone castle was built by the Moors who held the Algarve region from the 8th to 13th centuries. Today, it’s one of the best-preserved castles in the region.
Visiting the Castle of Silves is an absolute must when visiting Silves. At the castle you’ll see beautiful medieval ruins, learn about Moorish history, and you’ll have amazing panoramic views of Silves and the surrounding region.
You can go down a flight of steps into what was once the castle’s water cistern. This was an underground water catchment that was fed by rain. This cistern provided freshwater to nearby homes as late as the 1920s!
You can see the (empty) cistern, which is now home to a small exhibition on wildlife and ecology in the region around Silves.
Silves Castle is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily, and entry tickets cost just a few euro per person.
2. Visit the Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Silves (Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Silves) is another must-see while on a day trip to Silves from Lagos.
This small museum is home to exhibits that cover the history and archaeology of Silves from prehistoric times to the 17th century. In it, you can see a range of interesting artifacts that give you insight into the history of Silves and the Algarve.
The history of the museum itself is quite interesting! The museum is built over an 18 meter deep, 4 meter wide well that dates back to the 11th century. Later, it was a 19th century residence before the original building was demolished and the museum was built.
The well from the Moorish period has been preserved as part of the museum. Inside the museum, you can walk some steep, stone steps down into the well, or peer into it from the top!
The museum is a short walk from Silves Castle. It’s open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, and entry costs just a few euro.
3. See the Silves Cathedral (Sé Catedral de Silves)
The Silves Cathedral is considered one of the most important Gothic buildings in the Algarve. Like most of the buildings in Silves, the cathedral is built in red sandstone.
The cathedral dates back to 1189, when it was built over an existing mosque, from the Moorish era. Silves Cathedral was subsequently rebuilt after the Reconquest of Silves in 1249. After the great earthquake that hit Portugal in 1755, the church needed further renovations.
The Silves Cathedral is a short walk from Silves Castle. Whether you pop inside to take a look, or just admire from the outside, it’s worth adding to your Silves itinerary.
4. Walk Through The Old City Gate of Silves (Porta da Cidade)
The old city gate of Silves (Portas da Cidade de Silves) was built sometime during the 12th or 13th centuries. At that time, it would have been the main entryway into the thriving city of Silves, which at that time, was surrounded by city walls.
Today, the gate is a beautiful historical site. It’s worth walking through the large, arched gate. On one end of the gate, you can see a portion of pavement that dates back to medieval times. It’s also possible to climb some steps up the gate for a view of the main square of Silves.
5. Walk Across the Ponte Romana Bridge
The Ponte Romana Bridge in Silves dates back to the mid 14th or 15th century. This is the oldest bridge in Silves, which was built to enable people to cross the Arade River.
The Ponte Romana bridge was restored in the 17th century, but it still has its original form. In the 1950s, a new, concrete bridge was built nearby for vehicle traffic, and so the old bridge was designated as just for pedestrians. The bridge is a short walk from the center of Silves.
6. Wander Town and Have Lunch
Aside from the above main sites, Silves is just a lovely town to wander on foot. While on a day trip to Silves from Lagos, be sure to spend some time simply exploring the town’s beautiful streets, popping into shops and cafes along the way. Be sure to spend some time in Praca do Municipio, Silves’ beautiful main square.
Silves is a great spot to have a Portuguese lunch or dinner. We found a nice strip of restaurants with outdoor seating on Rua Elias Garcia. D. Sancho Café & Bar is also a beautiful spot to stop for a drink. It’s just outside the Silves Castle, and has a gorgeous patio area.
Things to Do Near Silves
If you’re day tripping to Silves from Lagos with a car, you can take advantage of the day by visiting a couple more points of interest that are near Silves.
The below points of interest are easy to add into your day trip itinerary, either before you go to Silves, or on your way back to Lagos.
Quinta do Francês Winery
The Algarve is well known for its sunny climate, but is also a great terroir for growing grapes. The vines in the Algarve grow in a variety of soils including clay, limestone, and sandstone, producing high-quality grapes.
If you’re looking to learn about southern Portuguese wines, and to taste some as well, head to Quinta do Francês! It’s a family estate winery that has about 8 hectares of vineyard. The winery is nested in the hills of Silves, within the Odelouca River Valley. You can go on a guided tour of the winery, participate in a wine tasting, or simply pop into their wine shop to take some wine home with you.
Quinta do Francês is an 18 minute drive from Silves and a 30 minute drive from Lagos.
Monchique
Monchique is a small town in the northern Algarve. The town is located within the mountain range of Serra de Monchique, surrounded by beautiful rolling hills, forests, rivers and streams.
The town is known for its beautiful traditional houses and architecture. There you’ll see colorful doors and windows, white walls, stonework and more. It’s a perfect town to wander on foot, with winding, narrow streets to explore.
Monchique is a 35 minute drive from Silves, and a 45 minute drive from Lagos.
Mount Foia Viewpoint (Miradouro da Fóia)
Going up the Serra de Monchique to the Mount Foia viewpoint is a unique Algarve experience. It’s the highest point in the Algarve, at 902 meters above sea level. Head to the viewpoint at the very top of Mount Foia for beautiful views of the region.
Miradouro da Fóia is a 45 minute drive from Silves, and a 55 minute drive from Lagos.
Tips for Visiting Silves, Portugal
Ready for a day trip to Silves from Lagos? Here are some tips to keep in mind for your visit.
Start your day trip to Silves early!
Silves is a popular Algarve town to visit, and so particularly in the summer, it can get busy. Going in the morning helps ensure you get a nice parking spot (if you drive there), and will also mean you beat the midday crowds.
Visit Silves Castle First
Silves Castle is the most popular site in Silves, and midday it gets particularly busy with tour groups. If you head to Silves first thing in the morning, make the castle your first stop. This way, you’ll get to explore the castle without the crowds that arrive later in the day.
Visit Silves responsibly
As with traveling anywhere, be sure to be a responsible tourist in Silves. This means thinking about your impact while visiting the town, and doing your best to support local while you’re there. Read my blog on How to be a Responsible Tourist for 20 responsible travel tips!
Can you take a day trip to Silves from Lagos?
Yes, you can easily day trip to Silves from Lagos. Silves is about a 30 minute drive from Lagos, and it can also be reached by train. On a day trip to Silves there’s plenty to see, including Silves Castle, the Silves Archaeological Museum, the old city gate, and more.
How far is Silves from Lagos?
Silves is 23 kilometers away from Lagos, and about 11 kilometers inland from the Algarve coastline. It’s only about a 30 minute drive between these two Algarve towns.
How long do you need to spend in Silves?
I recommend spending a full day in Silves. With one full day you’re able to see the town’s most important sites, like Silves Castle, Porta da Cidade, Silves Archaeological Museum, Silves Cathedral, Ponte Romana bridge, and Praca do Municipio. You’ll also have time to wander the town’s beautiful streets, and enjoy a Portuguese meal in a local restaurant.
Is Silves worth visiting?
Yes, Silves is worth visiting. This town is steeped in history, beautiful architecture, and notable sites like Silves Castle, Silves Cathedral, and Porta da Cidade. Plus, it’s simply a beautiful town to wander on foot.
What should you see in Silves, Portugal?
The main sites to see in Silves, Portugal are Silves Castle, Porta da Cidade, Silves Archaeological Museum, Silves Cathedral, Ponte Romana bridge, and Praca do Municipio. You should also take some time to wander the town’s beautiful streets.
Final Thoughts: Visiting Silves, Portugal
I love spending time on Algarve beaches, exploring natural coastline sites like Benagil Cave, and visiting the Algarve’s coastal towns. But visiting Silves was special! Being an inland town, it felt quite different than other towns I’d seen in the region. Silves is definitely one of the best day trips from Lagos.
It’s a fantastic town to day trip to for a dose of medieval history, Portuguese architecture, and more. I absolutely recommend day tripping to Silves from Lagos!
More From Pina Travels on Algarve:
- Algarve in Winter: What to Expect & Things to Do
- 10 Exciting Things to do in Algarve Portugal
- 6 of the Best Benagil Cave Tours (2023 Guide)
- 10 of the Best Day Trips From Lagos
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.